The Staircase
The Sunday Age
Sunday July 15, 2007
4/5
The Staircase(M, 360 mins) HopscotchWhen Kathleen Peterson is found dead at the bottom of the stairs covered in blood, her husband Michael is arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (Murder on a Sunday) had unrestricted access to the defendant for two years until the Durham Country jury gave its verdict. What emerges from this six-part series is a frightening insight into American justice and the contentious jury system, that proves (as if we didn't know already) that evidence or lack of it is one thing, but malice, the court of tabloid opinion, collusion by the authorities, and the prejudice and parochial narrow-mindedness of the jury are what really count when you're in the dock. Eat your heart out John Grisham.Extras: Two hours of extras including two follow-up docos.
© 2007 The Sunday Age